The One23 Super Bright 0.5 rear light is just that. By my reckoning (not to mention singed retinas of those behind me), its good to eight hundred and fifty metres in flashing - and the lens profile ensures 180 degree visibility.

The price is the real shocker. Only a few years back this sort of performance would set you back thirty odd quid. Here you'll get change from a tenner at many online retailers - batteries included!

Accessing the AAA cells means separating the casing via a coin slot with a 2p or 5p. Transparent battery tray aside, there's little to see, or touch for that matter, which explains why it has survived a five minute hosepipe test and immersion in twenty-five centimetres of seawater.

There are three LEDs, with three settings - steady, flash and hybrid where the main stays constant while the others dance their socks off. A recessed, top mounted switch is pretty discreet and requires a two second press to engage, so unwanted start-ups should be highly unlikely.

Out in the sticks and helmet mounted this light is visible from a good 750 metres and the side visibility has saved my bacon when emerging from secluded driveways. Through town, strobing is at just the right tempo not to get drowned out but once again, it is most effective at eye level.

Verdict

A seriously bright rear light for a seriously small amount of money

road.cc test report

Make and model: One23 Super Bright 0.5 rear light

Size tested: Black

Tell us what the light is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

"SUPER BRIGHT 0.5W

0.5 Watt Powerfull White or red LED

2 Bright Additional LED's

Up To 100 Hours Run Time

Visible Up To 1000m

3 Modes Steady And 2 Flashing

Tool Free Fitting

Belt Clip For Back Pack Or Pannier

2 AAA Batteries Included".

Generally agree, although 850m tops in perfect conditions.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?

1/2 watt LED

2 additional high performance LED's

High Clarity Optical Lens

Rate the light for quality of construction:

7/10

Extremely well sealed from the elements, although plastic proved a little softer than premium brands around the battery slot.

Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?

8/10

Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s

7/10

Very simple and ladder type strap will even stretch to accomodate helmets.

Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?

Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose

One23 super bright 0.5 watt rear LED is phenomenally bright and will give some household names a seriously good run for your money. Maximum visibility is nearer 850 rather than 1000 metres in flashing modes,450 constant/peripherally.

Mounting hardware entertains the full zodiac of seatpost diameters and is very accomodating of modern helmets/luggage too. However, trailers/tag alongs will need two on account of modest surface area.

Thanks guys, looks like my kind of light, complete with rubber fixing - good for the Brompton seat post. Any news of the similar One23 front light? Also you say it runs on AA batteries but the todayscyclist website says it uses AAA. http://www.todayscyclist.co.uk/product.aspx?X=ONLA052 Can you confirm please.

Miscellaneous

Tools and workshop

Here's how we roll at road.cc: every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a real insight into whether it works or not. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective, and we strive to ensure that all opinions expressed are backed up by facts, but reviews are always a reviewer's informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores. It reflects both a product's function and value. Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad. Here's what they mean: